Molly sat round the large coffee table, moving forward grabbing the hard plastic handles of the shopping bags down by her legs and making sure that they didn't fall over and block the rather narrow walkway between the seating area and the payment counter.
"Can't believe you let me spend all my money on clothes and make-up." Molly looked smiling across at her good friend. She always wondered how Jo managed to look so effortlessly stylish all the time. Especially running around after the kids and looking after the large house they had.
Molly on the other hand always went for comfy clothes. Mostly jeans and a comfy jumper or t-shirt with converse trainers. But with this weekend being a major event in Molly's career she knew she had to make an effort and shopped at the little boutiques around the town where she lived. She knew she looked good today, wearing a fitted navy blue blazer with a white blouse underneath and fitted blue trousers. She didn't often show off her ankles or feet but she couldn't resist wearing her blue and white strapped sandals with a large heel. Molly thought she may need the extra height if she had to talk to a lot of people who maybe a lot taller than her.
"Don't worry about it, Molls. She spends most of my money all the time." David joked while picking up the menu and feeling a soft slap on the arm from his wife.
"Hey, Mister, I never said anything when you were eyeing up that 50" bleeding 3D TV monstrosity and that would cost an arm and a leg, I bet." Joanna opened her purse and had another perusal of the food and drink the small coffee shop had to offer. "Think I'm just gonna have a latte and a sandwich. Not that hungry really. I think it's with being out and about without the kids and enjoying yourself, you never think about food."
"Well, I'm gonna have a small glass of white wine. I could do with something to steady my nerves." Molly noticed the small wine selection when they entered the coffee shop.
"You sure that's all you want, Molls?" Joanne saw Molly nod in agreement and walked to the counter to place the order.
David picked up on Molly's rising nerves. "You'll be great, Molls. It's not like you've got that much to do, is it?
"Thanks, mate. I'll sit with me feet up, should I"? She laughed, raising her eyebrows jokingly.
"No, what I mean is. All the art types'll be doing all the big speeches. You just get to see the joy of your work up on stage and making some serious cash for a good cause. Mark my words. Honestly Molly, you're a cracking little artist, you know. These people'll see that. And when you're rich and famous, I can be your business manager." David sat up straight, pretending he was adjusting his bow tie and curling his bottom lip while looking towards the ceiling.
"I don't know about that, you prannet. It's just weird. I know strangers see my work every day when they come to the gallery but, I dunno, it just seems more of a big deal somehow just in case my work does get picked and there'll be loads of pressure on me." She rested her elbows on the table running her fingers nervously along her hairline feeling a ball of nerves start to build in her stomach.
David looked squarely at Molly and rested his arms on the table while taking one of Molly's hands in his. "Look, how many times do we tell you this. Believe in yourself and what you're capable of."
Molly looked away from David's face and bit her bottom lip briefly and absent-mindedly looked at the marbled flooring, memories flooding back how Charles used to tell her the same thing. How she was brilliant, she had a gift with her painting and how brilliant she was with children but how she needed to let her inner confidence which he knew was growing shine through more to achieve whatever she could put her mind to.
She was watching David talking to her but she had couldn't hear any sound as all she could think of was Charles. How his beautiful chocolate brown eyes mixed with his gorgeous voice, warming her soul with his words of encouragement while stroking her skin tenderly . But she knew she had to stop thinking about him now. She couldn't let this weekend be ruined by thinking about the past and what could've been.
Today she had to be on her A-game as it was so important to her to take any opportunity that arose which could further her painting career hopes.
"I was saying you're wine's there, Molls. You look a million miles away. It'll get warm if you leave it there much longer".
"Sorry Jo. I was just thinking. Look, thanks the both of you for everything, for coming up here to see me and coming to this thing. It means a lot." She took quite a large mouthful of the cool liquid, letting the alcoholic fruity taste tingle on her tongue before swallowing .
"Course Molls. We wouldn't miss this for the world. Oh, did I give you Mr Tebbutt's card? It's a shame he couldn't make it but he's had this holiday he's gone on planned for a while." Jo said finishing the last of her latte.
"Yeah, the words were lovely. I really miss him. Even his bleeding lawnmower going off well early in the morning." Molly reached in her handbag and pulled out the 'Thinking of You' card. Taking it out of the envelope, the card had a Van Gogh 'Sunflowers' picture on the front. Opening it, looking again at the incredibly neat hand-writing, it said:
To My Dearest Molly,
Sorry I cannot be with you at this special time in your career this weekend, but I know that the experts will be bowled over by this stupendous talent they have in front of them when they see your work and they WILL see your work.
Have faith and know that there are great things ahead for you. Just remember the words that I've told you many a time. 'Write Your Own Story, Be Your Own Hero, Speak Your Own Truth, Live Your Own Dream.'
I will have a glass of Bollinger on ice for you on your return home after your successful adventures and we can raise a toast to my one and only Molly Dawes.
Yours sincerely,
Ever your loving friend.
Mr Tebbutt.
Molly smiled to herself and felt really lucky that she had that man in her life. She also loved the formality of his writing. She never knew his first name but didn't feel that she needed to know. He never told her but he was her old style gentleman and that suited her.
Checking her watch, noticing the auction would start in an hour she thought they'd better make a move.
"Just going to nip to the toilet. We gonna have to go soon." She finished the last of her wine and walked away, hoping her legs would carry her to the ladies, trying not to be nervous about what could lie ahead.
***** OG *****
As Molly walked back out from the cool air of the ladies toilets and felt the warm air instantly hit her from the busy coffee shop, she overheard a conversation she wished she hadn't.
"You didn't say anything, did you? It would really upset her hearing this especially when everything's going so good for her at the moment." Jo looked intently at her husband, touching his arm looking like she needed urgent clarification about something.
"No, haven't said anything, love. But you don't know if it was her you saw. It could've been his family member or something." David reasoned with his wife.
"Not with that registration plate. It's got to have been her. But if he's decided that he wants to be back with her then, it's up to him. He just seems like he's messed Molly around. It's a shame as I really liked him and they looked so perfect together."
"What's this about?" Molly decided to make her attendance known. Her heart beating fast as she knew deep down what the subject matter was.
"Bloody hell, Molls. Nearly gave me a heart attack there. Erm, just…talking about…." Jo looked at David for some back-up but he decided now was a good time to have a look at the internet on his phone wishing he was anywhere else but here, involved in this potential awkward conversation.
"Just….look Molly, I'll just tell you outright and it's nothing really. Remember, we're here for you. Just when we picked up that card from Mr Tebbutt, we drove past Charles' house in Redbourn and we think we saw Rebecca's car outside and someone who I think could have been her going in and out of the house."
Molly was quiet but had reconciled herself a while ago with the fact Charles and Rebecca had got back together or potentially been together the whole time. She still felt tears prick the back of her eyes but remembered Mr Garrett's words 'Be Your Own Hero' and thought that the they deserved each other and that Molly had risen above any hurt their actions had caused her. If only she could tell her heart that.
"S'alright. We'd best get going." Molly said quietly, trying to fake the appearance that she wasn't affected by the thought of it.
***** OG *****
Molly and Joanna got out of the taxi with David hanging back inside to pay the driver, both looking up at the imposing building. It was an old Victorian hospital but had been completely renovated inside to a 1920's feel. They had various large rooms that were hired out for board meetings that various companies used but the largest room of all was called 'The Grand Room". The owners had kept all of the original features including huge cornices, a tall stage at the farthest end and two extravagant chandeliers hung from either side of the room giving off a beautiful light into the area. This room was mostly used for events such as various company parties and conferences. There were waiters and waitresses dressed formally, walking around carrying trays of white and red wines.
Molly walked through the main doors and was amazed at the bright white walls and the clean lines of the place and the very high ceilings. She looked down at a waitress walking up to her to offer her a drink.
"White wine, please. Cheers." Molly stood looking at the light reflecting off the glass she was given. "This place is lovely, Jo. Everyone seems to be dressed up pretty smart. I don't think any of the blokes are wearing jeans." She smiled to herself thinking the effort that all these people had made coming to this event for amateur artists really heartened her.
"I know, Molls, good job David didn't come in his jeans. It took a bit of persuading for him to put his decent trousers on. Honestly even though he's in the building trade, he doesn't have to always dress covered in plaster like he's putting up a wall." Molly smirked into her Pinot Grigio.
Molly could feel a tap on her arm and turned round to see Amanda, her boss and friend looking stressed. "Molly, I've been trying to get in touch with you for ages. Have you not hard your phone on? You're work's been picked as part of the auction. It's on the stage now and you're gonna have to do a small speech." Molly could feel her heart start to pound loudly and her hands go clammy. She checked her mobile but it was off. The battery must have died.
"What, you sure? Why, has someone pulled out or something?"
"They've picked a couple of other artists but they really loved your work and the art experts wanted to show someone else who had the casting vote. Lucky I brought some of your collection from the gallery with us. I need you to spend a few minutes thinking what you're gonna say. Just about how you got started in painting, that sort of thing. It's gonna start soon but see what you can do. Sorry Molls just I'm run off my feet here making sure it goes well. There's some good potential buyers here so it could work out really well for the gallery's name too."
"It's alright I'll see what I can do." Molly touched Amanda's hand before her boss walked off trying to speak to a fellow artist. She didn't want to let her boss down but speaking in front of all these people was a real test of her nerves.
"You'll be brill Molly. Honestly, go for it, girl." Joanna winked at her trying to reassure her best friend. The girls hugged and David rubbed Molly's shoulder with a proud smile on his face.
Molly took a deep breath and looked for a seat to start writing some notes.
****** OG ******
Molly sat at the side of the stage with the other young artists while the main speaker was giving his presentation to the assembled audience. He was standing at the front talking very confidently using his hands to project his points. He had a microphone tucked next to his jacket buttons so gave a very clear voice which resonated loudly around the room.
She looked around at the sea of faces at the side of her. There must be about 300 people here Molly thought. She could only really see the tops of people heads but noticed a small group of girls distracted by something walking into the room and giggling to each other before all staring in the direction of whoever had come in. Molly couldn't see who it was by the row of heads to the side of her. She thought to herself 'focus up, Molly. This is a big deal. Sell yourself. Come on. You can do it.'
She missed the beginning of her introduction by the speaker. He had said her name and turned his head towards Molly and was clapping at her expecting her to stand up and take her turn on the stage.
"…Molly Dawes, ladies and gentlemen. Give a very warm welcome to our newest artist here this evening."
She was deafened by the applause as walked up the three steps to the stage all the while staring wide eyed at everyone looking directly at her. To her right were two of her paintings hanging high up on a large wall in the middle of the stage so the crowd had a good vantage point from where they sat.
Molly turned and stood slowly in front of what seemed like a sea of faces. She tried to take a deep breath and wondered how to project her voice well enough even with her microphone tucked onto her white blouse. Her heart was doing somersaults and her mouth was extremely dry. The silence which may have only last a few seconds but to Molly, lasted minutes. She unfolded the piece of paper that was in her hand and took a deep breath.
"Hello. My name is Molly Dawes. I'm an amateur painter. I've been painting on and off since I was about eight or nine years old." She took another breath and continued. "I suppose I started my idea of painting when waiting for my Mum to get my little brothers and sisters ready on a morning and I just picked up pencils and started drawing with those, you know little things, houses, people, anything that just took a couple of minutes, you know, while I was waiting for my Mum."
'Molly, she thought, speak properly, you sound about 7 years old'. She took a look at her notes and tried to remember the words. Speaking off the cuff wasn't working at all for her.
"While growing up, I started being interested in different things and painting wasn't always one of them but when I started working with children as a nanny, colours and textures was always part of my daily routine as the children I looked after loved to paint and express themselves in that way. It kind of gave me more opportunity to practice too. Apart from when the little bleeders would get paint all over their faces and their Mum and Dad's furniture." Molly attempted to laugh but the audience was silent apart from a few people who were clearing their throats. She saw Joanna and David and looked for some sign that she was doing alright but noticed Jo's arm tightly hanging onto her husband's.
She could feel her nerves getting the better of her even more now, wanting to hurry up and get to end of her story.
"Erm, I started to paint even more when I got my own house as I had a spare room that I turned into a painting room and er, started just going with the flow about how I wanted to create scenes in my mind. I didn't really have a plan as such, I just love colour and mixing colours and breathing new life into what little images come into my brain. I suppose depends what space I have left in my nut after a hard day at work." Molly tried to smile again but could have kicked herself for using the word 'nut'.
She could feel people judging her and thinking that she sounded common. Why did she believe that she could belong here in this room of important people? She could never be a famous painter. Not when she can't even deliver a simple speech. After all the man that showed her that she could be whatever she wanted to be, the best thing that had ever happened to her, her rock, her soulmate, she didn't have any more. She couldn't even keep a boyfriend.
Silence was stagnant in the room apart from the muffled laughter of the girls from earlier that were situated in the middle of the seating area. Molly thought if she walked out, nobody would mind and hopefully they would just continue the evening as if nothing had happened and she would just be a cautionary tale of public speaking.
As she felt her shoulders visibly deflate, she heard a voice coming from towards the back of the room. A voice she had heard and knew so well as if it was her own. She tried to look out over the brightness of the stage lighting but she could just make out a shadow walking slowly towards her and stopping.
"I said, I believe in you." Those warm tones. That assured loving voice nearly floored her. It couldn't be him, could it? Why would he be here? She looked and saw him standing in a fitted navy blue suit with a black tie. Noting the crisp white shirt underneath, Molly knew contained a strong chest and a familiar beating heart that steadied her when she was unsure. His face was just as she remembered, his beautiful chocolate brown eyes looking straight at her and his lips turning up slightly at one corner. His dark brown curls styled into a neat side parting that she used to love running her hands through. She knew instantly that she still loved him but she had no right to as he belonged to someone else. Oh why was he here? Even if it was right when she needed him.
"Ch..Charles. What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see you and tell you how proud of you I was."
"I…I'm trying to do something here."
"I can see that. But I thought maybe I could help you."
"How could you help me? Don't you think you've done enough for me this past year or so? I think I've had quite a lot of your help." Molly was fuming inside. She couldn't believe she was having this conversation in such a public place but the audacity of him to turn up like this, she couldn't understand.
"Molly, please listen to me I've thought of different ways to tell you this but I'm going to come right out and tell you as I feel it in here." Charles pointed to his heart. "Even if it is in front of all these strangers. I need to tell you how happy you made me. How we were meant to be. I've always known that. I've never had that feeling before, but it started that first day we met on the train when I saw you with the drawing I found…."
"Excuse me but I'm here to see some artwork and not an episode of EastEnders." A middle aged man stood up and tried to complain but was shouted down by an elderly lady who was sitting in the front row. "Shut up, you miserable man. I want to see how this lovely young gentleman is going to get his girl back." She sat with a deep smile on her face, making a shooing gesture with her hands as if to say 'continue'.
Charles looked back at Molly. "I should have fought harder for you. Set you straight without any doubt regarding Rebecca's answerphone message and seeing us in town that day. It was killing me knowing that I hadn't explained it property and that you were thinking the worst of me."
"It wasn't hard to think the worst of you, Charles. I'm not daft. I know what I saw."
"Rebecca did want to get back with me, that was why she rang me –yes, but I put her straight when I met her at the café as I wanted her out of my life once and for all. Yes, she tried to kiss me on the cheek but if you'd stayed a second longer, you would have seen me push her away. The divorce is final. the paperwork came through last week."
"But Jo and David saw her at your house the other day. Moving back in or something it looked like."
"No, she would have been collecting the last of her things from my loft. I told her to do it when I was working. I swear on my soul you have been thinking the wrong thing about what was going on."
Charles moved forward towards the light on the stage. His eyes were swimming with tears that he was just about able to keep at bay. "I've sat for months thinking I would let you grow, let your talent shine through and be brilliant at just being you. But I can see looking at what you've done, you've astounded me. What an amazing new life you're building for yourself but I want to be part of that life. I don't want to be a bystander any more. I want you. I want you to let me tell you that I want you with every fibre of my being. I want to be your soulmate again. I don't want any stupid misunderstandings stop us from being together. Being loved by you was my greatest achievement and I can't live without that love, Molly my darling, please, I'm nothing without you. Please can we be everything together?" Charles stood with one leg bent on the bottom step while the other stood firm, his hands trying to make Molly understand how much they needed each other. His eyes pleading.
Molly couldn't believe how quiet the room was and that people were generally interested in their story. A few calls of 'go on lad' and 'aw, he's lovely' came from the crowd.
She wanted to be angry with him still as she was so used to the feeling by now. But seeing him so impassioned, open and emotional, she had to look deep into her heart and see what she could find there but all she could see was him. Charles James. Plain and Simple. He was her everything.
Molly smiled while biting her lip nervously hoping to convey with no words her change of heart to Charles. He understood instantly and looked down smiling widely while raising his eyebrows, looking up and locked eyes intently to his love.
"So I want to say to these good people here tonight that this young lady is extraordinary. Starting with healing a broken man's heart when she met him, loving him and sharing that joy and love around with everyone she knows and ending with her having the strength and bravery to show you her work and as I see it, the most beautiful paintings I have ever seen. She's following her heart and I hope you know that you are witnessing something magical here if she will do me the very very great honour of her becoming my wife?" Charles pulled out a small black box from his jacket pocket and walked up to the top step next to Molly and went down on one knee.
Molly had only just processed the beautiful words that Charles had said, never mind this moment which was like a dream, a fairy tale, one that she hoped that she would never wake up from. The ring was absolutely beautiful, the huge diamonds sparkling in her eyes like rays of light. She knew the answer before she would even need to think about it. Before she had even seen a ring.
Cheers of 'go on Molly' 'you know you want to' and 'say yes' rang out from the crowd. Molly sought out Joanna and David who both looked shell shocked.
"Hang on though." Said Molly with a playful glint in her eye. " I've got a load more painting equipment than I used to have, Charles. Don't know if I could fit it all in your house. We'll have to have an extension built in my house or move somewhere new."
"Move or an extension is fine by me."
"Even if it means getting rid of your thousands of music CD's that you don't listen to?"
Charles smirked to himself. "Even if it means getting rid of my thousands of music CD's that I don't listen to."
"Then Mr Charles James." Molly walked a step closer to him. "My answer is yes, yes with every fibre of my being. I love you."
Charles stood, smiling broadly, letting his tears flow, putting the ring on Molly's finger and they hugged, they hugged each other so tight, they never thought they could let go of each other again. The room erupted into applause and cheers but Molly and James could only hear the beating of their hearts and their souls beginning to feel healed again. The smell of his cologne surrounding her.
Charles moved away and stroked her bottom lip with his finger and bent his head and kissed her softly. His lips feeling warm and moist and then his tongue rolling with hers, rekindling the sensual familiarity they once had.
Molly pulled away slowly, touching Charles' forehead and whispered 'I'm sorry. So sorry for everything."
"Not as sorry as I am. I can't live without you." They smiled a deep and loving smile at each other.
"Now shall we try and finish that speech together?"
***** OG *****
Molly stood on the stage finishing her speech feeling empowered, energy renewed and like a different person. All because of the man whose hand she was holding tightly standing next to her giving her all the support she needed.
"..…so at the end of my story and I'm sure with the events of this evening, it won't be one you'll forget in a while, I hope that the various pieces of work that you see this evening will introduce you to a whole new generation of us who can at last show the outside world what we can do with the help and encouragement of the people we love and who love us in return and also to hopefully raise a lot of money to a very worthwhile cause that our galleries have chosen this evening. Thank you very much for your time."
The room erupted in applause once more and Molly nodded her head and walked off the stage together with Charles. They chose to stand at the side of the room while the rest of the artists talked about their stories somewhat quietly wondering how they could top the dramatic events of the previous speaker.
Molly stood leaning back into Charles' firm and solid body feeling his warmth permeating through her bones with his arms around her shoulders. She wondered how she ever lived without this. Without the feeling of him. She could see his head ducking down beside her cheek and brushing against her skin lightly. Seeing his long dark eyelashes closing and opening softly, she could tell she was in danger of falling in love with this man more than ever.
***** OG *****
The two couples walked out onto the small terrace outside 'The Grand Room'. It was getting dark outside now and the large array of fairy lights that were scattered around the small seating area, set a beautiful backdrop against the dark city landscape.
"Well Molls, this evening's not gonna be one I'm gonna forget in a hurry. Your heroics certainly livened up proceedings in there." David smiled at put his hand on Charles' shoulder.
"You're not wrong there, mate. I thought I totally mucked it all up at the beginning but it ended up being the best night of my life." Molly stared lovingly at Charles and feeling her engagement ring on her finger.
"Give me another look, Molls. It's beautiful Charles. It really is. You've chosen well there." Joanna holding up Molly's hand and lightly skimming her finger over the stunning piece of jewellery.
"Yes. I have. I've chosen very well indeed." Charles replied, staring deeply into Molly's eyes, with her knowing that he wasn't referring to just the ring.
"Congratulations again, mate. And you Molls didn't I tell you, your work would be well received. What was the total again, Charles, mate?"
"Well altogether the grand total was about £40,000 and just for Molly's work alone was about £10,000 of that amount. I'm very proud of you, Molly. You should be too." Charles kissed the top of Molly's head.
"I know. I can't believe it really. They were all bidding like crazy, I thought some of them had forgotten to breathe in between bidding." Molly laughed. "But I think Amanda's really pleased though. Especially for the exposure for the gallery and the proposal half way through will keep people talking for ages."
"Well Molls, what can I say when the feeling takes you, you've just gotta go with it." Charles bit his lip and putting a hand out and stroking the side of her cheek.
"Yeah but flying hundreds of miles like you did to come out here. Can't believe you work all the way out there. And you don't mind moving back over to the UK again?"
"Molly, I told you, I would leave my job for you. I would do anything you wanted me to. This is it for me." Charles bent his head placing both his hands on Molly's face and passionately kissing her. The warmth of his strong tongue seeking hers and stroking it as if their small body parts were doing their own dance of love. Charles groaned as Molly deepened the kiss even further, pressing her body against the huge swelling in his groin.
Joanna and David walked away silently, letting the two lovebirds continue their happy moment in private, feeling so happy for the couple and that Molly truly did have her happy ending that she deserved so much.
Molly and Charles slowly pulled apart. She moved herself to stand in front of him as they both stared out at the beautiful view in front of them. Charles' hands brushing up and down her arms before coming to rest around her waist.
"Would you like to be my PA if I become a rich and famous artist then?" She smiled looking at the stars dancing in the night sky.
"Mm. Depends on what the pay is? If I have to wear a skirt and blonde curly wig then maybe not." Charles smirked into Molly's hair. "But if it's in sexual favours and also being with the love of my life, then it's a definite yes."
"One out of two ain't bad. I'm no good at returning favours, mind but being with you for the rest of my life? mmm.. I could live with that knowledge, I think." Molly winked up at Charles thinking how very lucky she was and would never ever let any of her silly doubts or insecurities ruin the happy picture she had painted in her mind of her life with this man.
They grinned at each other turning to look out at the beautiful skyline once again.
A/N: Hope you loved this chapter. It will be the last one, I'm afraid. I think I've given it the right ending for our favourite couple. This story has somewhat grown arms and legs instead of the basic one I had previously envisaged but I suppose you just go with the flow. However, as I must love being a glutten for punishment and may be not good at it but I'm going to attempt an epilogue chapter to properly end this story but it will be 'M' rated. I haven't finished it yet.
Thank you for the support you've given this story especially with it being my first FF. It's been such a learning curve and have also loved it. The Sunflowers card and the verse inside, I got that from Google. The song I listened to when writing this was: Breathe Me by Sia as it went so well with the romantic feel of Charles speech.